Music: Francis Poulenc
Text by Georges Bernanos
Inspired by a true story from the French Revolution, Francis Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmélites stands as one of the great pinnacles of French opera, regularly described by major houses and critics as a profound, existential work on fear, death, and faith.
Through the story of Blanche de La Force, a young woman confronted with fear, doubt, and the burden of choice, the opera tackles with rare intensity questions that still speak to us today: inner freedom, individual conscience, faith, courage, and the struggle to remain standing in the face of political oppression.
In this searing production by Olivier Py (seen on major stages around the world and widely hailed for its stark visual power), Dialogues des Carmélites comes to life with a cast of Québec artists currently shining on the international scene. A deeply human work, whose spiritual, political and intimate dimensions resonate with particular poignancy in today’s world.
A co-production of the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, Paris, La Monnaie / De Munt, Brussels, and the Festival d’opéra de Québec
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From History to Opera: Discovering Francis Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmélites
Discussion moderated by Catherine Ferland, PhD, Historian
Sunday, July 5 at 1:30 p.m.
Duration: 60 minutes
Monastère des Augustines
77 rue des Remparts, Québec City
“Communauté” Room
Sliding scale pricing: $12, $16, or $20 (includes admission to the Museum on the day of your visit)
Guest Speakers:
– Anthony J. Steinhoff, Professor of European and Religious History at the Université du Québec à Montréal
– Irène Brisson, Musicologist and Retired Professor from the Conservatoire de musique de Québec
How did a tragedy from the French Revolution become one of the greatest operas of the 20th century?
Join us for an exceptional discussion moderated by historian Catherine Ferland, and discover the fascinating history of the Martyrs of Compiègne along with a behind-the-scenes look at Francis Poulenc’s opera, Dialogues des Carmélites.
The Festival d’opéra de Québec would like to thank the Monastère des Augustines.
Jean-Marie Zeitouni
Olivier Py
Musical direction:
Jean-Marie Zeitouni
Direction:
Olivier Py
Revival direction:
Daniel Izzo
Set and costumes design:
Pierre-André Weitz
Lighting design:
Bertrand Killy
Makeup Designer:
Élène Pearson
Hélène Guilmette
Sylvie Brunet-Grupposo
Julie Boulianne
Guylaine Girard
Florie Valiquette
Patrick Bolleire
Frédéric Antoun
Rachèle Tremblay
Hugo Laporte
Marie-Andrée Mathieu
François Piolino
Emmanuel Hasler
Marc-André Caron
Maxence Lasserre-Engberts
